Adjustable Harness with Support Tube for Exercise Equipment

ABSTRACT

An adjustable harness for exercise equipment. The harness includes a support section and a strap that may be adjusted in length. The harness may include an attachment mechanism. The harness is mounted on exercise equipment and supports a user&#39;s limb. The harness may be mounted on exercise equipment through a loop located on a support tube on the exercise equipment.

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/352,446, filed Jun. 15, 2022, and hereby is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

Generally, the present invention relates to an adjustable harness for mounting on a support tube to provide support for a user's body part while operating exercise equipment.

Description of Related Art

Exercise equipment can assist a person with their health and fitness. This may include aerobic benefits, strength, mobility, and mental health, as well as physical therapy. A user of exercise equipment typically interacts with the equipment using their arms and/or legs via their hands and feet. Some users may have physical impairments for using traditional exercise equipment, such as an injury, unstable limb, or paralysis. These impairments may make it uncomfortable, difficult, or impossible for a person to use exercise equipment. Other users may have a weakness in certain areas of their body that make exercise equipment difficult or impossible to use or make the equipment difficult to use without the assistance of another person.

Recumbent exercise equipment is known for allowing a user to sit and exercise with their limbs extending mostly in a horizontal direction rather than being mostly upright. Recumbent exercise equipment typically involves the user extending and retracting the user's limbs, such as by pushing pedals with the legs or pushing and pulling on bars with the hands. Examples of exercise equipment include recumbent bikes, recumbent pedal machines, or any kind of recumbent trainer.

Like other exercise equipment, recumbent exercise equipment can help build cardiovascular strength and muscle strength. In addition, recumbent equipment may be a safer and more comfortable way to exercise. For example, recumbent equipment often includes a reclined seat and may also have back support. This provides more sitting space and larger area of support for a user's body. Recumbent equipment also may lower the stress on the body as compared to more upright equipment.

Recumbent exercise equipment also may be easier for beginners to use. Recumbent exercise equipment may put less stress on the joints as compared to upright exercise equipment. Recumbent equipment also may be easier for a user to mount because the seat may be lower than the seat found on upright exercise equipment.

Because the user is sitting, recumbent exercise equipment may be more suitable for a person with a physical impairment, such as someone with low mobility or a leg injury. Recumbent equipment also may be useful for physical therapy or rehabilitation. However, even traditional recumbent exercise equipment may be difficult or impossible for an impaired person. Stabilizing a user's limbs, such as a leg, may allow a person to use exercise equipment who otherwise could not or would not use the equipment.

Currently, exercise equipment, such as a recumbent exercise equipment, may include a strap that attaches a user's lower leg to the equipment by a bar. The strap wraps around the leg and is attached at one end to the strap and attached to the exercise equipment at the other end. While this does provide some level of support, some users may find the strap uncomfortable. This type of strap also may be difficult to attach to the body, difficult to adjust, and harder to reach because the user must extend down to their lower legs. Another disadvantage to this type of strap is that is only supports the lower legs, not the larger upper section of the user's legs. As a result, the user's legs may still shift, move around, abduct, or adduct in an undesired fashion during exercise.

As a result, a need exists for devices, systems, and methods directed to supporting a user's limb or limbs while using exercise equipment, such as a recumbent exercise machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is discussed later.

The present invention is directed to an adjustable harness to support a user's body while mounting and using exercise equipment. The adjustable harness can stabilize non-functioning or unstable body parts on the exercise equipment. In some instances, injured or paralyzed body parts may not be able to stay in place with constant body movement. The injured or paralyzed body part may become unstable, shift, or fall out of place, which can result in decreased efficacy or safety issues if the user continues to use the exercise equipment. The user must stop using the equipment and to re-adjust the body part before continuing use of the exercise equipment.

The present invention will secure the body part (or body parts, if using more than one harness) onto the exercise equipment. The adjustable harness may be fully or partially made from an elastic material to provide give and tension to the user's body part. The portion of the harness supporting the user's body may be wider than the portion going over a support tube on the exercise equipment in order to provide more comfort to the user by distributing the user's weight.

The harness is strapped on with a buckle (or other attachment device) and contains a strap that is adjustable. The user can tighten (or shorten) the strap or loosen (or lengthen) the strap to accommodate the exercise equipment, the user's body size, and/or the user's needs. The length adjustment assists with accommodating different user's body shape, size, and weight. The length adjustment can be achieved with any known adjustment mechanism, such as the types used for belts, backpacks, camera bags, or watches. Hook and loop also may be used for the length adjustment.

The attachment device can be achieved with any known attachment mechanism, such as a buckle or any means of connecting two ends of a strap. Examples of buckles include cam buckles, ratchet buckles, roller buckles, side release buckles, slide buckles, snap buckles, or tie buckles.

A single adjustable harness may be installed on exercise equipment to support one limb, such as a leg. Two adjustable harnesses also may be installed so that two limbs can be supported, such as both of a user's legs.

A user can install the adjustable harness while sitting on the exercise equipment. This may be easier to install than the prior art ankle support mechanism described above.

The adjustable harness may be installed on a support tube on the exercise equipment. In another embodiment, the support tube may have a loop or slot through which the adjustable harness is installed to keep the harness from sliding along the support tube.

Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the examples, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of adjustable harnesses in accordance with the present invention installed on a recumbent exercise machine.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a prior art device for supporting a user's lower legs.

FIG. 3A shows a view of the outside of the adjustable harnesses shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3B shows a view of the inside of the adjustable harnesses shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of two adjustable harnesses installed on a support tube of the recumbent exercise machine.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a person using a single adjustable harness installed on their right leg on the recumbent exercise machine.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of a person using a single adjustable harness installed on their left leg on the recumbent exercise machine.

FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of two adjustable harnesses installed on a recumbent bike exercise machine.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 provide perspective views showing a person using the two adjustable harnesses shown in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of two adjustable harnesses installed on a recumbent trainer machine.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 provide perspective views of a person using the two adjustable harnesses shown in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show an additional embodiment for a support tube onto which an adjustable harness may be installed.

While the disclosed subject matter is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosed subject matter to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES

Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary exercise equipment 3 where an adjustable harness 1 of the present invention may be utilized. In this example, the exercise equipment 3 is a recumbent trainer having a seat 11 for the user to sit on, which may optionally include a backrest. The exercise equipment 3 also includes pedals 8 and arm attachments 12. The user exercises using the equipment 3 by pushing on the pedals 8 with their feet and/or pushing and pulling on the arm attachments 12.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a prior art system for stabilizing a user's legs. An ankle strap 10 is placed around the user's lower leg. The ankle strap 10 is connected to the pedal 8 by a bar 9. While the ankle strap 10 does provide some level of support, some users may find this arrangement uncomfortable. The user also may find that the ankle strap 10 is difficult to attach to the leg, difficult to adjust, and difficult to reach because the user must reach down to their lower legs. Another disadvantage to this type of ankle strap 10 configuration is that it only supports the lower legs, not the larger upper section of the user's legs. As a result, the user's legs may still shift or move around in an undesired fashion during exercise.

FIG. 3A shows a view of the outside of an adjustable harness 1 in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3B shows a view of the inside of the adjustable harness 1, which is the side of the harness 1 that faces towards and contacts a user's limb. The harness 1 has a support section 13 to support a user's limb, such as a leg. The support section 13 may be made of any flexible material. The support section material may also stretch to enhance the user's comfort and conform to the shape of the user's limb.

The support section 13 has two ends, each of which is connected to a strap 6. The support section 13 may be wider at its widest point than the width of the strap 6. The strap 6 may include an adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the strap 6 and thereby the overall length or diameter of the adjustable harness 1. This adjustment mechanism can be any type of length adjuster, such as the types used for belts, backpacks, camera bags, or watches. Hook and loop also may be used for the length adjustment. This allows a user to adjust the length or diameter of the adjustable harness 1 to suit their particular body shape and maximize comfort.

The adjustable harness 1 also may be a single continuous piece of material such that the support section 13 and strap 6 are a single piece.

The adjustable harness 1 may include an attachment mechanism, such as a buckle 5. The buckle 5 allows the adjustable harness 1 to be installed or removed from the exercise equipment 3.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the adjustable harness 1 may be installed on the exercise equipment 3 by placing the harness 1 on a support tube 2. The support tube 2 is mounted to the exercise equipment 3, such as through attachment to an upright post 4. The support tube 2 may include a loop 7 through which the strap 6 of the adjustable harness 1 is placed. The loop 7 keeps the harness from moving along the support tube 2 to keep the harness in place. Although not shown, other known designs may be used to keep the strap 6 from moving along the support tube 2, such as a notch or indentation in the support tube 2 or any physical structures placed along the support tube 2 to prevent the strap 6 from moving.

As shown in FIG. 4 , two adjustable harnesses 1 may be installed on the exercise equipment 3 and may use a buckle 5 for installation. The support tube 2 includes two loops 7, one for each adjustable harness 1. FIG. 1 also shows the configuration with two loops 7 and two adjustable harnesses 1. The support tube 2 also may include a length adjuster to adjust the length of the support tube, such as the pin and hole mechanism 18 shown in FIG. 4 . Although not shown, the support tube 2 may include additional loops 7, such as to provide multiple positions for the adjustable harness 1 or to allow for more than two adjustable harnesses 1 to be installed on the exercise equipment 3.

FIG. 5 shows a user on the exercise equipment 3 utilizing a single adjustable harness 1 on the right leg. FIG. 6 shows a user on the exercise equipment 3 utilizing a single adjustable harness 1 on the left leg. As shown, the user can use a single adjustable harness 1 on a single limb, or the user can use multiple adjustable harnesses 1 to support multiple limbs, as shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 shows an example where the exercise equipment is a recumbent bike 14. The bike 14 includes a support tube 2 and loops 7. An adjustable harness 1 is installed within each loop 7 on the support tube 2, thereby providing two adjustable harnesses 1. The bike 14 does not include a seat, such as the seat 11 shown in FIG. 1 . By not including a seat, a user on a wheelchair 15 may use the recumbent bike 14 and install the adjustable harnesses 1 while remaining in the wheelchair 15. This may be particularly beneficial for a user in a wheelchair who may have difficulty moving to an exercise machine that includes an attached seat.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show a user on a wheelchair 15 using the recumbent bike 14. The user has installed and mounted onto their legs two adjustable harnesses 1. While FIG. 7 , FIG. 8 , and FIG. 9 show a recumbent bike 14 without a seat, it is understood that the adjustable harness 1 of the present invention also may be used with a recumbent bike 14 that includes a seat.

FIG. 10 shows an example where the exercise equipment is a recumbent trainer 16 without a seat. The trainer 16 includes a support tube 2 and loops 7. An adjustable harness 1 is installed within each loop 7 on the support tube 2, thereby providing two adjustable harnesses 1. The trainer 16 does not include a seat, such as the seat 11 shown in FIG. 1 . By not including a seat, a user on a wheelchair 15 may use the recumbent trainer 16 and install the adjustable harnesses 1.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show a user on a wheelchair 15 using the recumbent trainer 16. The user has installed and mounted an adjustable harness 1 onto each leg. While FIG. 10 , FIG. 11 , and FIG. 12 show a recumbent trainer 16 without a seat, it is understood that the adjustable harness 1 of the present invention also may be used with a recumbent trainer 14 that includes a seat, such as shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 13 shows an additional embodiment for a support tube 19 that can support one or more adjustable harnesses 1. As shown in FIG. 14 , the support tube 19 has a single bar that attaches to the upright post 4, which in turn has bars extending laterally to provide areas onto which adjustable harnesses 1 may be installed. The support tube 19 may include a mechanism to adjust the length, such as a pin and hole mechanism 18.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the disclosed subject matter may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the disclosed subject matter. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable harness for exercise equipment comprising: a harness having a wider section and a narrower section, wherein the narrower section includes a length adjustment mechanism and an attachment mechanism.
 2. The adjustable harness of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is a length adjustment buckle.
 3. The adjustable harness of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is a buckle.
 4. The adjustable harness of claim 1, wherein the wider section is made from a flexible material.
 5. An adjustable harness for exercise equipment comprising: a support section having a first end and a second end, and a strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the support section is attached to the first end of the strap and the second end of the support section is attached to the second end of the strap, wherein the strap includes a length adjustment mechanism.
 6. The adjustable harness of claim 5, wherein the length adjustment mechanism is a length adjustment buckle.
 7. The adjustable harness of claim 5, wherein the support section is wider at its widest point than the strap at its widest point.
 8. The adjustable harness of claim 5, wherein the support section is made from a flexible material.
 9. The adjustable harness of claim 5, further comprising: an attachment mechanism between the first end of the support section and the first end of the strap.
 10. The adjustable harness of claim 5, further comprising: an attachment mechanism between the first end of the strap and the second end of the strap.
 11. An exercise machine comprising: an exercise mechanism for a user, a support tube attached to the exercise mechanism, and an adjustable harness mounted on the support tube comprising a support section having a first end and a second end, and a strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the support section is attached to the first end of the strap and the second end of the support section is attached to the second end of the strap, wherein the strap includes a length adjustment mechanism.
 12. The exercise machine of claim 11, wherein the exercise mechanism is a recumbent exercise mechanism.
 13. The exercise machine of claim 11, wherein the length adjustment mechanism is a length adjustment buckle.
 14. The exercise machine of claim 11, wherein the support section is wider at its widest point than the strap at its widest point.
 15. The exercise machine of claim 11, wherein the support section is made from a flexible material.
 16. The exercise machine of claim 11 further comprising: an attachment mechanism between the first end of the support section and the first end of the strap.
 17. The exercise machine of claim 11 further comprising: an attachment mechanism between the first end of the strap and the second end of the strap.
 18. The exercise machine of claim 17, wherein the attachment mechanism is a buckle.
 19. The exercise machine of claim 11 further comprising: the support tube further comprises a loop.
 20. The exercise machine of claim 11, further comprising: the support tube further comprises a notch. 